- Venice moved to {{NSRW article link|Venice]]
- Venice, Gulf of moved to The New Student's Reference Work/Venice, Gulf of
Ve'nus, the Roman goddess of love, subsequently identified with the Greek Aphrodite. Originally, Venus does not seem to have occupied a conspicuous place in the religion of the Romans, and she scarcely figures in the history of Rome under the kings; but gradually, as the myth of the Trojan origin of Rome gained ground, the worship of Venus emerged into importance. Aphrodite was the mother of Æneas, and Aphrodite became Venus. Ares was Mars, and Mars was the national god of the Roman people; then, as in Greek mythology Aphrodite was beloved of Ares, so Venus was represented as the paramour of Mars, and thus was advanced by the poets to the dignity of the divine mother of the Roman people. Several temples were erected to her in Rome at different times and under different names, and rites were celebrated in her honor during the month of April — the springtime of the year being thought favorable to the growth of the tender emotions.
Venus. See Planets.
Vera Cruz (vd'rd kroos}, an important city on the eastern coast of Mexico, about 200 miles east of the City of Mexico, with which it has communication by railway. It is built in a semicircle facing the sea, the streets, which are wider than is usual in tropical countries, running east and west from the harbor, with others crossing them at right angles. The town is defended by a wall six feet in height and other substantial works, and also by the car/tie of St. Juan de Ulloa, which stands upon an island of the same name, about half a mile from the shore. Vera Cruz has been greatly improved in recent years. The main streets have been asphalted and otherwise improved and beautified. Complete new sewers and drainage works have been constructed. It has now an excellent harbor with up-to-date appointments, port works, custom houses,etc. The chief exports are precious metals, cochineal, sugar, flour, indigo, leather, vanilla, etc.; and the chief imports cotton, woolen, silk and linen goods, brandy, iron, hardware and earthenware. Vera Cruz was bombarded and taken by General Scott during the Mexican War and by the allied British, Spanish and French squadrons in 1861, when they sought to set Archduke Maximilian of Austria upon the throne of Mexico (q. v.). Population 29,164.
Verrasano (ver1 rat-so? no), Giovanni da (1480-1527), Florentine navigator, on much of whose exploratory work in the New World doubt has been cast. Moreover, little is authentically known as to his early career, some authorities relating that even the name he passed under was not his own; while, so far from serving his country, it is stated that he was a corsair in the service of France and, as such, preyed upon Spanish and Italian commerce. His first voyage of discovery, it is believed, was undertaken in the service of Francis I of France. Under a commission from the monarch he commanded an expedition in 1524 to the New World, which explored its coasts from Cape Fear southward and then northward to Newfoundland, touching at ports on the coast of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton and entering also, it is understood, New York and Narragansett Harbors. Verrazano's expedition northward, we know, gave a claim, though possibly a shadowy one, of first discovery of a vast region to France, under whose authority he sailed and that ten years before the voyage to the Gulf of St. Lawrence of Jacques Cartier of St. Malo. Of Verrazano's later career, on his return to France, little also is definitely known. Some biographers assert that in 1525 he took part in the battle of Pavia, and for a time was a prisoner of the Spaniards. For critical discussion of authorities consult Winsor's Narrative and Critical History of America.
Verbe'na, a numerous species of annual herbs or shrubs, common in the gardens of the United States, though native to tropical or semitropical America. The cultivated varieties usually are propagated from seeds, though they are also found growing as weeds in waste ground. They grow best on a high, garden soil, when well-fertilized. The verbena flowers showily and in varied colors (chiefly lilac, purple and white pink) on slender spikes, some varieties having a sweet scent, especially those native to Brazil. The plant is frequently used in medicine as a cooling remedy.
Verdi (ver'de), Giuseppe, Italian operatic composer, was born at Rancole in the duchy of Parma in 1814 and received his musical education at Milan. His first work was a musical drama, which appeared in 1839, and he produced a number of operas, which, while they abound in melody and striking dramatic effects, are characterized by noisy orchestration. In 1861 he was elected to
